"Pom" watch

Silly comment - there is no inconsistency - just lots of strong teams competing at such a level that marginal differences on the day make the difference between winning and losing.

It's as it should be. It would be excellent if the SL was as "inconsistent".

Last night I watched the Eagles-Roosters game I had recorded from Friday. That was of a very low standard. Error strewn with very little skill on show. The Saints-Leeds match on Friday night here was so far ahead of it in all respects as to be on a different planet never mind in a different hemisphere, and that's with half a dozen under 21s in the Saints team.

There have been some poor games , but by in large the up and down results are being forced by the improvements from most of the teams who finished outside of last years top eight.

There are also lower top eight 2013 clubs like the Cows sitting on an impressive Roster that will likely come into their own and cause more of what people will label as inconsistent results....until they realise it's a very good team that have been off form.

Paramatta are the biggest improvers this year , they really deserved to beat Manly a week ago.

The Tigers are another team that could do anything with a bit of luck around Injury especially.

The Titans keep plugging away......another team with plenty of Talent that haven't realised it yet , fifth on the ladder , perhaps the confidence of that will see them continue to improve.

The Dragons are sitting on top of the world deservedly and they'll be hard to beat.

The Warriors are coming right slowly but surely.

So expect the up and down results to continue...expect teams that are not 100 % on their game...to not be allowed to get away with coasting on last years results.

Addit : I forgot the Raiders , they are always hard to predict , so far they're looking pretty consistent and you can't talk turn around form from last year without looking at the way the Broncos are tackling their way through games...they look really good if you throw in Hodges due back soon.

I've been able to watch every game so far except for one and half of another. I caught those on the radio. I think it's clear most teams are playing or have played well below what they're capable of. I'm not convinced by any team yet.

I'll also clear up that I don't believe inconsistency is the same as non competitive. This year's comp is clearly very competitive so far. Just ask anyone trying to tip it.

I've been able to watch every game so far except for one and half of another. I caught those on the radio. I think it's clear most teams are playing or have played well below what they're capable of. I'm not convinced by any team yet.

I'll also clear up that I don't believe inconsistency is the same as non competitive. This year's comp is clearly very competitive so far. Just ask anyone trying to tip it.

One thing that is missing from this argument is the new rules , and I believe that they have radically changed the landscape and the shape of the NRL, the apparent inconsistencies and upsets are primarily driven by the rules in my humble opinion.

i haven't see a more uncertain interpretation of a rule revolution since the switch from the five meter rule.

Even Refs are struggling , their instinct is to not allow the quick tap....and we're seeing pedantic rulings which go entirely against the quick tap concept.

Some teams are adjusting to the rules better than others , largely because the rules suit the type of roster they have and you have to factor in some reluctance from last years most successful teams to go away from what was working for them.

The smaller forward packs are finding themselves competitive against the big boys off the back of seven tackle options and sped up play.

The Roosters Manly game was the exception that proves the rule....two teams with big packs sticking to their keep it tight systems from 2013.

Put the Roosters against the Broncos who have adapted to the new rules well ( Small pack , interchangeable Prop/ secound rower types ) and we see the Bronco's go close to beating the Roosters.

The Tigers Rabbitohs game is the strongest argument for the point I'm trying to paint here , the Tigers mobile pack out played the biggest forward pack in the comp because of the way the new rules change the fifth tackle kicks to keeping the ball in play......end to end scramble.......

It's early days , too early to judge how permanent the new rules effect will determine what player prototype survives.

But things are leaning towards change....the same change that saw the ten meter rule make the George Roses of the comp a rarity......there was a time every team had a George rose , Marty Bella , Steve Roach , Sam Backo.

Seven tackles is the type of evolution that a team like the Warriors " The greatest Rugby league Circus you have ever seen " according to Vossy....will thrive under.

The dragons with their tiny lean mobile forwards are winning the NRL under the new rules while others have to make an adjustment.

Just seen the interesting article on Boots 'n' all tonight about Jordan Baldwinson's start to his career playing for the NZ Warriors 20's (not reserve grade as Eddie Hemmings kept saying). It sounds like he is going well and is enjoying life out there.

Surprisingly, there was no mention of Mason Tonks, Baldwinson's Leeds Academy team mate, not even by his old coach Barrie McDermott sat in the studio. I know Tonks appeared in the first Holden Cup game of the year, but he seems to have dropped off the radar since then.

Can any of our Kiwi friends update us. Is he injured? Was he dropped by Stacey Jones?

"Rugby League is rugby in the simplest form in the sense that it's about great defence, great tackling technique, good handling, good passing, catching and great kicking."

Just seen the interesting article on Boots 'n' all tonight about Jordan Baldwinson's start to his career playing for the NZ Warriors 20's (not reserve grade as Eddie Hemmings kept saying). It sounds like he is going well and is enjoying life out there.

Surprisingly, there was no mention of Mason Tonks, Baldwinson's Leeds Academy team mate, not even by his old coach Barrie McDermott sat in the studio. I know Tonks appeared in the first Holden Cup game of the year, but he seems to have dropped off the radar since then.

Can any of our Kiwi friends update us. Is he injured? Was he dropped by Stacey Jones?

Saw that on Boots n All and thought it odd how Tonks was never mentioned. However, Mason Tonks has actually been named in the starting line up for the Holden Cup game against Cronulla on Saturday. Baldwinson is on the bench. From what I can gather looking at one of the Kiwi forums, the Warriors tend to rotate the players at that level.

Just seen the interesting article on Boots 'n' all tonight about Jordan Baldwinson's start to his career playing for the NZ Warriors 20's (not reserve grade as Eddie Hemmings kept saying). It sounds like he is going well and is enjoying life out there.

Surprisingly, there was no mention of Mason Tonks, Baldwinson's Leeds Academy team mate, not even by his old coach Barrie McDermott sat in the studio. I know Tonks appeared in the first Holden Cup game of the year, but he seems to have dropped off the radar since then.

Can any of our Kiwi friends update us. Is he injured? Was he dropped by Stacey Jones?

Mason Tonks had been struggling ( past tense obviously as he is in for this weekends game ).

Baldwinson found it pretty tough going as well initially but he is coming along nicely now ( I watched his game V the Tigers last week , he had a high work rate ) he needs to keep the high output going to make a point of difference between him and some of the Really Big u20's Forwards.

I'm pretty sure Sam Tomkins was wrong when he said Jordan had played in every game , he and Tonks were picked in round one....the team got thumped and they were both dropped.

The following week the Team got thumped again and Baldwinson was picked to travel to North Queensland where they routed the Cowboys U20's side.

A Narrow win to the Warriors U20's team over the Tigers last week has them tracking in the same way as the Top side ( two wins from four games ).

Looking forward to seeing how Mason Tonks goes. There is a lot of pressure to make that highly successful U20's side ( the comps been running four years , the Warriors won the first two years in a row , made the Grand final last year...have been in the top four for the entire four years).

They have the best record in the NRL. There are clubs lining up to snap some of those players off the Warriors ( one prop may have signed with Newcastle ).

The Leeds boys have come at an ideal time , half of the Under twenties team are playing in the Next level up ( the NSW cup ) so there is spaces for them to hold onto tot their Jerseys.

To be honest I thought both might struggle to establish themselves over there as one thing the Warriors are never short of at any level is back rowers. I hope both can make a good fist of their opportunity. Whatever happens, playing in the Holden Cup can only improve them as players.

"Rugby League is rugby in the simplest form in the sense that it's about great defence, great tackling technique, good handling, good passing, catching and great kicking."